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Peptic Ulcer

Submitted by Thiruvelan on 9th Apr 2013 | Last updated 4 August 2014

Peptic ulcer or peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is the most common form of ulcer in the gastrointestinal tract.

What is peptic ulcer?

Peptic ulcer disease is general term referring ulcer formation in the stomach or duodenum (upper part of the small intestine). Approximately, 70 to 90 % peptic ulcer cases are due to Helicobacter pylori (a spiral shaped bacterium). Peptic ulcers can also be causing or worsen by frequent use of certain drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and other NSAIDs.

A peptic ulcer is erosion of mucous membrane lining of the digestive tract causing a sore equal to or greater than 0.5 cm and gradual breakdown of tissue.

The area in which peptic ulcer develops are mostly acidic environment, causing gnawing or burning pain in the belly's upper-middle part. Even though peptic ulcers develop small, still they produce considerable discomfort.

Classifications of Peptic ulcer

Peptic ulcers are classified as different types based on the location at which it develops.

Esophageal ulcers - is the ulcer develops in the esophagus (connecting tube between mouth and stomach).

Gastric ulcers - is the ulcer develops in the stomach.

Duodenal ulcers - is the ulcer develops in the duodenal (upper part of the small intestine).

Peptic ulcer prevalence

Peptic ulcers are more common condition affects every part from this world. There is about 10% of the population develops an ulcer at some point in their lives; it affects about 4.6 million people annually.

The death due to peptic ulcer is about 1 in 10,000 cases. However, the death rate due to ulcer bleeding is approximately 5%.

Peptic ulcer can affect anyone: male or female, young or old (any age group children, teenagers to older people), rich or poor. However, the positive side is now effective treatment is available for proper peptic ulcer treatment.